Jueyun Karst.
One moment they were still in the Jade Chamber, and the next, Nolan and Yelan had arrived at the secluded abode of Moon Carver.
"Hmph. And who might this be, barging so abruptly into an Adeptus' domain?"
Sensing Nolan's aura, a massive stag-shaped Adeptus emerged from the mist.
"Hehe, my apologies, my apologies." Nolan chuckled, then smoothly shifted the topic. "Anyway, Moon Carver, this young lady Yelan is here to see you."
"Oh?"
Moon Carver didn't pay much mind to Nolan himself, but turned to look at Yelan, curious what business someone from Tianquan's side might have with him.
"True Lord, the Lantern Rite is upon us. If you're interested, you could come to Liyue Harbor and take a look."
Yelan extended the invitation on behalf of the Qixing.
"What value is there in attending a mortal's festival?" Moon Carver clearly had no interest.
To an Adeptus, human festivals were no different from any other day—at most, just a bit livelier.
"It seems True Lord doesn't understand Liyue's culture very well," Yelan said with a faint smile. "The Lantern Rite is the most important festival of the year for the people of Liyue.
"Why does this festival exist? Why do the people treasure it so much? Aren't you even curious?
"You and Rex Lapis have guarded Liyue together for millennia. What you protect isn't just the land, but also its people and their culture.
"And yet, after thousands of years, you feel no interest in the very thing you've guarded? Or is it that you only protect Liyue because Rex Lapis wished it, and you merely follow along?
"Is there nothing in Liyue that you personally feel is worth protecting?"
Nolan asked with deliberate curiosity.
"You impudent fellow!"
Hearing such blunt and seemingly disrespectful words, Moon Carver grew displeased.
If it were any ordinary mortal speaking to him this way, they would have been made to pay dearly for their rudeness.
But since Nolan was his friend, he decided to show the magnanimity of an Adeptus, and forgave his offense.
Definitely not because he couldn't win in a fight!
"Hmph," he snorted, still unhappy. "Over thousands of years, I have come to know the Lantern Rite more deeply than you humans. All such customs are etched into my memory.
"These treasures of culture we sincerely guard. But we are Adepti, not humans—our perspective is different.
"What is there to question about that?"
"Well, that's true," Nolan admitted. "But if you don't take the chance to get closer to humans, to understand them better, it's easy for another situation like last time to happen."
He was, of course, referring to the assassination attempt on Rex Lapis. Because the Adepti had been estranged from humanity for so long, and unfamiliar with the Qixing, they immediately suspected them of betrayal.
"…Hmph. Indeed, back then we did act rashly."
Moon Carver fell silent for a moment, but did not deny Nolan's point.
"Exactly. So why not take advantage of the Lantern Rite, visit Liyue Harbor, and see for yourself the beauty of what you've been protecting all this time?" Nolan said with a smile.
"You make a fair argument. It's true we have grown distant from humanity these past years."
Moon Carver pondered a moment and admitted that Nolan's words held reason.
After all, going to Liyue Harbor wouldn't take much time. He could simply take human form, stroll among the crowds, and perhaps even reunite with Rex Lapis and Azhdaha.
Seeing Moon Carver nod in agreement, Nolan smiled as well.
"Good. Then we'll count on you to attend. Yelan and I will go inform the other Adepti."
"Very well."
With that, Moon Carver's vast form faded back into the clouds and mist.
Yelan tilted her head at Nolan, arms folded, and sighed.
"Ningguang only told me to give a routine notice. It's not like the Adepti must actually attend."
What she meant was: as long as the message was delivered, that was enough—no need to say so much.
"Well, since we're here, we can't just let you go back empty-handed, right?" Nolan laughed twice, took Yelan's hand, and vanished on the spot.
[Yelan Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 320 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (720/900)]
When they reappeared, they were already at Mt. Aocang.
The view from the peak was excellent. Together, Nolan and Yelan called out toward the cave dwelling of Cloud Retainer.
"Who dares to shout and disturb this Adeptus?!"
Her voice came first, her form following quickly—a beautiful white crane flew out from the cave. Cloud Retainer looked at the two visitors at her door.
"So it is you. What brings you here?"
"True Lord, it's been a long time. Nothing urgent, just that the Lantern Rite is coming up. On behalf of the Qixing, I'm inviting you to Liyue Harbor to join the celebration."
Yelan stated the matter simply.
"The Lantern Rite…" Cloud Retainer thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. My two disciples are in Liyue Harbor. It has been some time since they have seen their master. Perhaps they miss me dearly.
"In that case, I shall go, so they may behold me again."
More like you've been lonely on Mt. Aocang and want to see Ganyu and Shenhe yourself, Nolan thought, amused. But he didn't say it aloud—if he poked at her pride, she might refuse out of stubbornness.
"Good. Then we'll await your arrival in Liyue Harbor. For now, we'll head to notify Mountain Shaper next."
Nolan was a little surprised at how easily Cloud Retainer had agreed.
"Mm." Cloud Retainer gave a distracted reply—she was probably already thinking about her disciples.
Alright, so she really was lonely and missing them.
Next, the two of them went on to notify Mountain Shaper. Once he heard that both Moon Carver and Cloud Retainer had agreed to go, he accepted as well.
After all, if everyone else went while he stayed behind, it would feel awkward. He had nothing better to do anyway, so joining the festivities didn't hurt.
And, of course, he wouldn't refuse the Qixing or Nolan.
After successfully inviting these Adepti, Nolan and Yelan teleported again—this time to Wangshu Inn, to find the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao.
According to what Nolan knew, Xiao was truly a social recluse. Because of his karmic debt, he always avoided crowded places to keep from harming ordinary mortals without elemental power.
So he normally would never linger long where people gathered.
But now, after Nolan's help purifying his karmic debt, perhaps he wasn't so fearful of crowds anymore.
In the blink of an eye, Nolan and Yelan appeared at Wangshu Inn.
Naturally, their sudden arrival drew Xiao's attention. His spiritual sense swept toward them—but once he saw it was Nolan, it quietly withdrew.
Standing on the deserted rooftop of the inn, Nolan felt speechless. Xiao had already sensed them—yet he still didn't bother to show himself?
He really was the definition of a socially anxious recluse.
(T/N: In English version Adeptus are called by their names but in Chinese they're given titles like 'True Lord' or 'Perfected Lord'. Oh and Rex Lapis is called 'Sovereign Lord'.)
(End of Chapter)
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